Search

Here’s my most recently finished sewing project — and I actually just finished it this week! This is Simplicity 2599, a great basic blouse pattern that includes sleeveless and short-sleeved versions as well as several different trim options. It also features different pattern pieces for B, C, and D bust cups so you don’t have to do any adjustments for that department. The blouse is quick and easy to put together once you work out any fitting issues. And really, there can’t be too many fitting issues when there is just one main piece for the front and one main piece for the back 🙂

As you can see, the neck in this version (E) features a cute ruffle which is created by gathering a single layer of bias cut fabric and attaching it to the neckline through the blouse and facing. This technique is great because it keeps the facing from flipping out and because the facing adds an extra layer of sturdiness to anchor the ruffle.

In this photo you can see what the shirt looks like untucked. Please excuse the wrinkles since I had it tucked into my skirt all day. I had to tweak the pattern to achieve the waist definition you see here. When I first sewed up the shirt, it was a complete box. I ended up grading the waist down two sizes from the size that I sewed in the bust and hips. This makes it a little hard to get on over my head since I also omitted the button opening at the neck but it is possible.

From the back view you can see that I did an awesome swayback adjustment — well, pretend like you can :). It is wrinkly from being tucked in but before I made my swayback adjustment, the back of this shirt pooled like crazy. Now it glides over my junk-trunk much more gracefully. For finishing, the seams are all French seams and the armholes are finished with self-bias binding.

And just to show you one of my favorite flowers and why this is my favorite time of the year. Azaleas make me so happy. These are some of the small azalea bushes outside my office. When I left work yesterday afternoon, they were so full of blooms and the sunshine was so pretty, I just had to snap a picture for you. Unfortunately azaleas grow really slowly so it will be many years before these bushes reach the massive size of the plants that I so admire in our surrounding neighborhoods, but at least my little babies make up for it in quality!

And one last shot to show you the outtakes from my first attempt at self-photography. Apparently 10 seconds isn’t as long as I thought it was. Or we can pretend I was doing exercises in my skirt and heels. In front of the camera. I’m still amazed that I even figured out how to turn on the timer on my camera without having to consult the manual…

Jacket–LoftBlouse–Made by Me!Skirt–Halogen from NordstromShoes–Cole HaanNecklace–Tessyla on Etsy

Don’t forget to enter my One Year Blogiversary Giveaway! The giveaway will end Thursday, January 31 at midnight CST. Click here to enter a comment on the giveaway post and be entered to win a free Craftsy class of your choice!!!

In my office at work.

This is a finished object that has been hanging in my closet for quite a few months now (since the summer). Sorry it has taken me so long to get some decent pictures of it. This blouse is the Belle Bow Blouse by In House Patterns, an indie pattern company that was new to me until I came across their downloadable offerings on Pattern Review. The blouse features a neck tie, button front, waist tucks in front and back for shaping, and gathers at the shoulder yoke with sleeveless dropped shoulders.

I must say I am very impressed with In House Patterns so far. This pattern was very well-drafted, the instructions are excellent and create a very clean, professional finish, and the seam allowances are already reduced to keep you from having to trim everything. To top it all off, these patterns are drafted for a D-cup so I didn’t have to spend time doing a full bust adjustment (FBA).

I can tell you from personal experience that the top fits very true to the size chart without excess ease. I was one size bigger in the hips than the waist and bust but I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal so I didn’t grade up. Mistake — I ended up having to let my tucks out a little bit to accommodate my hips. Next time I will know to go ahead and grade out at the side seams.

I made the shirt from a cheap polyester that I picked up at the Vogue Fabrics booth at the Sewing Expo in Atlanta last year. It took right at 1.5 yards. It gets staticky like crazy. I used tricot fusible for the button placket. I used the buttons I picked up in England for the closures.

When I wore it to work this week, I layered my favorite ivory cardigan over it. This shirt also looks great tucked into a pencil skirt. The pattern includes a collared version without the tie and I am thinking about making that one up next…

I love how it just skims the hips. The tucks are so easy to sew and are also great for alterations when you ignore the size chart 🙂

A view of the inside.

As far as the finishes called for, the facing edges are serged. The front bodice/yoke seam is clean finished so no exposed edges show. The back yoke seam is finished with the serger. The side seam edges call for a serged finish. The sleeves and bottom have a narrow machine hem.

Front yoke seam — inside view.

All in all, I can’t recommend this pattern enough. If you haven’t seen In House Patterns before, go check them out. And if you’re concerned because you aren’t a D bust cup, Alexandra has a lot of great information on her website about how to alter her patterns for larger and smaller sizes. I am looking forward to new patterns from this great designer!